Apparatus for classification of solid particles



June 15, 1954 c. E. WARSAW APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID PARTICLES Filed Dec. 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6F. 01?. A6 SIZE. 03804 x LA IIIIL. llll |l+|||ll|l| IIIIL. lllll IIL June 15, 1954 E, WARSAW APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID PARTICLES Filed Dec. 5 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [271 8]? for war/eel? Warsaw Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID PARTICLES 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for classification of solid particles as to size and the sorting of same as to specific gravity.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a novel method and apparatus for classifying solid particles relative to size and sorting and collecting solid particles relative to specific gravities; and wherein the particles are carried in a constant liquid flow past successive sorting and collecting stations, and wherein the velocity of the liquid flow is controlled to bring about size classification of the particles of successively smaller size, and to sort by specific gravity, and collect them after sorting, into successive collecting stations.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a novel method of classifying solid particles relative to size and while such classification is in operation to segregate and collect solid particles of a given specific gravity for salvage and to segregate and collect solid particles having other specific gravities as rejectable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel method of classifying solid particles relative to size and segregate and collect particles of different specific gravities in a continuous operation and without the use of screens or mechanical moving parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method of classifying solid particles relative to size and to segregate and collect particles of different specific gravities solely by a constant flow of liquid whose velocity is controlled in its movement past successive particle collecting stations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for carrying the improved method into effect, by the combination and arrangement of parts, and the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved apparatus in accordance with a preferred structural embodiment thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section view as observed in the plane of line 2--2 on Fig. 1, some parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental vertical sectional view as observed in the plane of line 3-3 on Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, and 5 are horizontal sectional views as observed in the planes of lines 4-4, 55; and

7 66 on Fig. 1, respectively, the section line 44 also appearing on Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the classification and collection of solid particles in the successive housings, such as may be found in anthracite silt.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, l0, H and I2, designate three successive treating chambers involved in the apparatus. At this point it is to be understood that more than three chambers may be used or in fact, only two there-. of depending upon the desired extent of sizing desired.

A tube l3 has its upper end in communication with the upper end of chamber 10 and its lower end in communication with the lower end of chamber ll. Likewise, a second tube Iii has its upper end .in communication with the upper end of chamber II and its lower end in communication with the lower end of chamber l2.

Chamber I 9 which initially receives the feed of material and liquid, is of uniform rectangular cross section as indicated in Fig. 4. Chambers H and I2 are successively of greater transverse areas than chamber I0, and while all three chambers are of uniform dimensions between their frontand rear walls, chambers H and I2 have their side walls widened adjacent their front walls and such widening is greater in chamber 12 than chamber ll. Thus upon reference to Fig. 4, it will .be seen that chamber it includes front and back walls Hi and 10 and opposite side walls 10 and that such walls in transverse section are of rectangular form.

Upon reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that chamber I I includes front and rear walls H and ll which are the same distance apart as walls Ill and I 0 but the front wall I I is substantially wider than the rear wall II. The side walls include major portions H which are of the same spacing as walls 10 and further minor side wall portions II offset outwardly from wall portions i I and connected therewith by wall portions H which are disposed between and parallel with the front and rear walls I I and I l Thus it will be seen, that chamber H has an increased transverse area adjacent to its front wall Il Upon reference to Fig. 6 it will be seen that chamber l2 includes front and rear walls i2 and [2 which are the same distance apart as are walls 10* and l in chamber It and walls I I and H in chamber I I.

The front wall l2 of chamber !2 however, is wider than the front wall H- of chamber ll.

Chamber i2 further includes major side wall p01- t-ions 2 which are of the same Width as wall p01- tions il of chamber ll and further minor side wall portions i2 which are spaced apart a greater distance than side wall portions l2 by minor wall portions 52 which are parallel with front wall l2 and spaced therefrom the same distance as are wall portions 1 i from the front wall l I of chamber I I.

At this point, it is to be understood that the increased transverse areas of the successive chambers can be varied to suit conditions of operation.

As is indicated in Fig. 2 the chambers have horizontal top and bottom Walls but their front and rear Walls although being parallel are inclined with the front edges of the top walls overhanging the front edges of the bottom Walls, the angle of inclination is indicated by a: and which angle of inclination can be varied depending upon size, gravity, and velocity of particles be ing processed and also dependent upon the heights of the chambers 10, II and 52. For convenience the drawings show chamber bottoms having the same elevation, but it is understood that elevations of chamber bottoms may vary so that H is lower than H), I2 lower than H etc.

While all chambers will in most working conditions have the same inclination, the inclinations may be different as may be desired to provide desired changes in the rate of settling, and carry up distance in the chambers for various particle sizes.

A feed tube 55 is provided for admission of material particles to be treated and such tube at its upper end communicates with a material hopper [6. A branch tube ll extends from tube I5 and at its upper end is in communication with the bottom of a liquid supply tank IS. A regulating valve is is provided in the branch tube I1 for maintaining a constant volume of liquid flow to transport the material particles from the hopper H5.

The lower end of tube I5 is in communication with the lower end of chamber l0 through the rear wall lfl thereof. A diverter plate is disposed in the bottom of chamber IQ for a purpose later referred to.

The front wall Hi of chamber I6 is provided with an aperture 2| and disposed within the chamber in engagement with the inner face of wall it is a V-shaped material guide 22 having its vertex disposed just beneath the aperture 2! and a rectangular plate 23 bridges the V-shaped guide and is suitably secured to the inner face thereof,

the plate preferably being of a width equal to that of the chamber as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A material discharge tube '24 has its inner end extended through the aperture 2! and its outer end in communication with a housing 25. The tube 24 is provided with a control valve 26 and the housing is provided with a control valve 21.

The chambers H and I2 are provided with similar structures in horizontal alignment and which in Fig. 1 are designated by corresponding reference characters with the sufiix a and I) respectively.

The chamber H3 is provided with a similar structure to that above described and located adjacent the bottom of the chamber, whereas that just described is adjacent to the top of the chamber.

The second structure includes an aperture 28 in the front wall w disposed within the vert later to appear.

of a V-shaped guide member 29 which is internally covered by a rectangular plate 30. A material discharge tube 3! has its inner end extended through aperture 28 and its outer end in communication with a housing 32 and the tube 3| is provided with a control valve 33 and the housing with a control valve 34.

The chambers vH and I2 are provided with corresponding structures and are designated by corresponding reference characters with a suiiix a and b respectively.

The first or uppermost described structure is for the discharge and collection of the lighter material and the second or lowermost is for the discharge of the heavier material and such discharge structures will later be referred to as lighter and heavier discharge structures.

At this point it is to be noted that the deflector 26 has its upper edge disposed just beneath the lower edge of plate 30 and is internally flush therewith.

Disposed within each of the chambers is a defleeting structure and which is shown in chamber H) in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and in chambers II and 12 in Figs. 5 and 6, in which latter figures the elements corresponding to those of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are designated by corresponding reference characters with the prefix a and b respectively.

The deflecting structure as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 comprises a pair of shoes 3-5 which are in engagement with the inner face of rear wall 10' and which are slotted as at 36 for the reception of bolts 31 extending therethrough and through the rear wall it for adjustment of the shoes toward and away from each other for a purpose A pair of angularly related plates 38 have corresponding ends thereof pivotally connected to adjacent edges of shoes 35 by means of hinges 39 and the opposite ends of the plates meet in a vertex disposed intermediate the rear wall 10 and the V-shaped guide 29 and in substantial horizontal alignment with the mouth of the guide. The meeting ends of the plates 38 are pivotally connected together as by a hinge 40.

Upon loosening bolts 3'! the outer ends of plates 38 may be moved toward or away from each other with a resulting narrowing or widening of the material flow passage 4| adjacent the mouth of V-shaped guide 29 and as will be seen in Fig. 2 the lowermost plate 38 is inclined in a direction to divert the liquid suspended material particles from the inlet end of the tube l5 to the restricted flow passage 4|.

In order to provide for adjusting the deflecting structure externally of the chambers, a structure as shown in Fig. 2 may be provided and which may consist of a nut 31 swivelly supported by the rear wall in and suitably maintained in liquid sealing engagement with the wall. A nut rotating wheel or like member 31* may be rigidly connected to the nut. An elongated screw 37 is extended through the nut and is pivotally connected at its inner end to a toggle 31 whose opposite ends are pivotally connected to plates 38.

The last chamber in the series, herein shown as chamber 12 is provided with an overflow member 12.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying the improved method into effect, the operation of the apparatus is as follows:

A suflicient supply of liquid medium is maintained tank is and has the flow thereof regulated by the valve is for sufficient head pressure to maintain a uniformly constant volume thereof through the successive chamber H], II and I2 for maintaining in suspension the largest size particles of a material mixture or particles such as culm or silt in the bottom of the first chamber ill. The restricted zone point, 4!, will provide an increased velocity of liquid flow and will result in said particles of various sizes in suspension being carried upwardly through the restricted zone El.

After having passed through the restricted zone 4! the velocity of the liquid flow is reduced because of the substantial increase in cross sectional area above the said restricted zone.

The average liquid flow velocity in the chamber Ill is sufficient to carry the largest size particles upwardly generally in a vertical path and some of the particles in their upward movement may strike the forwardly inclined rear wall Ill and may be deflected toward the interior of the chamber.

Particles having the higher specific gravities in the mixed material will lag behind the particles having a lower specific gravity in the upward movement and will tend to move toward the inner face of the inclined front wall Ill of the chamber ill. Because of the inclination of the parallel front and rear walls 50 and l to the vertical, a descending current of liquid flow will result along the inner face of the front wall I0 Th s descending flow current of liquid results in particles descending along the inner face of the front wall Ill These particles will fall by gravity at a relatively slow velocity downwardly along the inner face of the front wall It until reaching an area above the lower discharge or take-off tube 3!.

In the area somewhat above the restricted area M a sweeping action is caused by the increased velocity of liquid through the restricted zone.

The adjustable deflecting structure 35-40 is set to provide a restricted area and consequent velocity of liquid flow such that the heavier specific gravity particles may continue to fall by gravity with said descending flow current along the inner face of front wall l0 and into the discharge tube 3|.

The particles of lighter specific gravity will not descend through the sweeping zone with those of higher specific gravity, but will be separated or sorted therefrom and will be carried out into the other areas of the chamber by liquid turbulence above the restricted zone M and will be carried by the liquid velocity to the area opposite or somewhat above the upper take-oh or discharge tube 2-4.

Upon reaching the upper area near the discharge tube 26 and less liquid turbulence the lower specific gravity particles of the general size range for the average liquid velocity in the chamber ill will fall along the inner face of the front wall i li between the cover plate 23 and the front wall and will fall into the discharge tube 24.

Smaller size particles than those discharged into tubes 3! and 24 will be carried upwardly by the liquid fiow and through the tube I3 and thence into the bottom zone of the second chamber II. From the above, it will be seen that a sorting action has been effected as well as a sizing action in the chamber It.

Upon entering the chamber H, the particles pass through a restricted zone provided by the deflecting structure et to 40* wherein the in.- c

6' creased flow velocity initiates the sorting or sizing process for this chamber and the sizing or particle range of sizes is determined in chamber H by the reduced velocity flow occasioned by the increased cross sectional area of the chamber and which increase in area is adjacent the front wall 1 l adjacent to which the sorting is effected.

The particles of such specific gravity and size that fail to descend under gravity into the discharge tubes 3P and $24 in chamber II are carried upwardly and through the tube l4 into the bottom of chamber 12 wherein the sorting, sizing, and collecting process is repeated, the liquid flow velocity being increased in the zone opposite the deflecting structure SEW-4t and the particles of higher and lower specific gravities being discharged into the tubes 31* and 24 respectively.

The process may of course be carried on by the provision of additional chambers having successively increased cross-sectional areas. It is to be noted that the valves 2! and 34 are closed and valves 26 and 33 opened during the operation of sorting the particles of different specific gravities. When it is desired to remove the collected particles in housing 25 and 32 the valves 26 and 33 are closed and the valves 21 and 34 are opened.

It is to be particularly observed that the increased cross-sectional areas of all chambers succeeding the first one is preferably effected by widening a portion of the side walls adjacent the front walls by a certain ratio in each succeeding chamber while maintaining the distance between the front and rear walls constant. This particular arrangement maintains the distance of travel by the particles toward the inner face of the front wall of a minimum for assisting in sizing and sorting and maintaining speed of the process fromv chamber to chamber.

The diagrammatic view in Fig. 7 is illustrative of the approximate action which takes place in the successive chambers in the treatment of anthracite silt, which may be assumed to be a heterogeneous mass comprising various size particles of two different specific gravities.

The silt from hopper it will be carried by the liquid whose flow from tank [8 is regulated by the valve I9, and the valve will be set to cause a constant volume of liquid to pass through the successive chambers H), II and I2, but due to the successively increased transverse areas of the chambers the velocity of the constant liquid volume will he correspondingly decreased.

The particles of the silt upon entering the bottom of the chamber ill in suspension in the liquid will be carried upwardly through the restricted zone 4| because of increased velocity at this point.

Due however, to the action above referred to as effected by the restricted flow zone and the inclined chambers, the larger particles of the higher specific gravity will collect in the housing 32 and which are indicated as being of a size .046875" and having a specific gravity of 2.0. The same size particles having a lower specific gravity will be lighter and the same will collect in the upper housing 25 and such particles are indicated as having a size .046875" and a specific gravity 1.6.

Particle size is substantially less than .046875" cannot collect in housings 32 and 25 of chamber it] due to the high velocity of the liquid therein and such particles will accordingly be carried into chamber II. The particles collected in the lower housing 32 of chamber I l are indicated as having a size .03984 and having a specific gravity of 2.0 or the same as the particles collected in housing 32 of chamber I!) while the particles collected in the upper housing 25 of chamber II are indicated as having a size .0398& and a specific gravity of 1.6. Particles of sizes substantially less than .03984 will not collect in chamber H but will be carried into chamber I2 and wherever particles having a specific gravity of 2.0 but of still less size, indicated as .0339 will collect in the lower housing 32 of this chamber while particles of the same size but having a specific gravity of 1.6 will collect in the upper housing 25 It is to be understood that the above described example is approximate only but specific sizes and specific gravities have been given in order that a better understanding of the operation of the apparatus may be had.

It is of course to be understood that the method and apparatus is applicable to materials other than anthracite silt.

Upon further reference to Fig. '7 showin an example of the treatment of anthracite silt, the particles having a specific gravity of 2.0 would be mine rook while those of the specific gravity 1.6 would be carbon (or coal). The rock would of course be discarded and the coal would be collected in three different sizes .046875", 03984" and .0339.

While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a single specific structure embodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire tosecure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for classifying material having dine-rent specific gravity and size comprising an elongated upwardly extending hollow separating chamber, inclined from the vertical, and having parallel disposed side portions, parallel disposed front and rear wall portions and top and bottom end portions, intake means communicating with the lower end of the chamber providing a constant flow of liquid thereinto having solid particles suspended therein, upper and lower vertically disposed particle collecting stations on the front wall of said chamber, a now diverting means intermediate the intake means and said lower station divertin the liquid and suspended particles upwardly in said chamber toward the lower collecting station, volumetrically adjustable fiow restricting means supported by the rear wall portion in said chamber adjacent the lower station and having an inner vertically fixed terminal intermediate the front and rear wall portions and parallel therewith and horizontally adjustable to vary the size of the restriction to increase the velocity of the liquid stream to upwardly move and carry substantially all of the particles into a first separating zone between said lower and upper stations, the parallel disposition of side, front and rear wall portions establishing and maintaining a constant liquid velocity between the collecting stations to sustain only a smaller range of particles to be collected at the upper station and allowing the particles of a larger range to be collected in the lower station.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the flow restricting means further comprises a pair of rectangular plates extending from one side wall to the other, said plates being hinged together at adjacent edges providing said terminal, the plates divergin toward the rear wall and havin their spaced edges hinged to shoes slidably engaged with the inner surface of the rear wall, and means operatively associated with the plates for selectively varying the angle therebetween and a consequent variable distance between said terminal and the front wall.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower particle collecting stations each comprise a relative narrow guideway memher having one side thereof engaged with the inner surface of said front wall and a cover plate secured to the opposite side thereof defining a vertically extending V-shaped opening having its upper end terminating in a horizontally disposed mouth receiving the particles as separated, and the lower end of said openin bein provided for communication with a particle collecting housing.

4. Apparatus for classifying material having different specific gravity and size comprising an elongated upwardly extending, hollow separating chamber, inclined from the vertical, and having side portions, front and rear wall portions and top and bottom end portions, intake means communicating with the lower end of the chamber through an opening in the rear wall adjacent to the bottom thereof providing a constant fiow of liquid thereinto having solid particles suspended therein, a particle collecting station comprising a relative narrow guideway member havin one side thereof engaged with the inner surface of said front wall and a cover plate secured to the opposite side thereof defining a vertically extending V-shapcd opening having its upper end terminating in a horizontally disposed mouth receiving the particles as separated, and the lower end of said opening being provided for communication with a particle collecting housing, a flow diverting means extending from a point on the rear wall adjacent to the lower part of the communicating opening to a point on the front wall adjacent to the lower part of the plate defining the V-shaped opening divertin the liquid and suspended particles upwardly in said chamber toward the mouth of said collecting station, volumetrically adjustable flow restricting means in said chamber supported by the rear wall and vertically disposed from said communicating opening and adjacent to the mouth of said V- shaped opening increasing the velocity of the liquid stream to upwardly move and carry substantially all of the particles into a separating zone above said collecting station and the velocity thereof, after passing the fiow restricting means reduced thereby depositing particles of high specific gravity into said mouth of said guideway.

5. Apparatus for classifying material having different specific gravity and size comprising a series of spaced, elongated upwardly extending, hollow separating chambers, each chamber inclined from the vertical and having parallel disposed side portions, parallel disposed front and rear wall portions and top and bottom end portions, intake means communicating with the lower end of the first chamber in said series providing a constant flow of liquid thereinto having solid particles suspended therein, means providing communication between the upper and lower ends of successive chambers with an overflow in the upper end of the last chamber of the series, each of said chambers comprising upper and lower vertically disposed particle collecting stations on the front wall thereof, a flow diverting means intermediate the intake means and said lower station diverting the liquid and suspended particles upwardly in each chamber toward the lower collecting station, volumetrically adjustable flow restricting means supported by the rear wall portion in each chamber adjacent the lower station and having an inner vertically fixed terminal intermediate the front and rear Wall portions and parallel therewith and horizontally adjustable to vary the size of the restriction to increase the velocity of the liquid stream to upwardly move and carry substantially all of the particles into a first separating zone between said lower and upper stations, the parallel disposition of side, front and rear Wall portions establishing and maintaining a constant liquid velocity between the collecting stations to sustain only a smaller range of particles to be collected at the upper station and allowing the particles of a larger range to be collected in the lower station, the constant liquid velocity within each chamber in the series being succes- 10 sively decreased from the first to the last of the series by having the transverse areas of the chamhers successively increased from the first to the last.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the increase in transverse areas of the successive chambers is disposed adjacent the front walls and extends throughout the height of the chambers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 888,767 Trottier Llay 26, 1908 971,608 Hedfeldt Oct. 4, 1910 1,057,870 Monnet Apr. 1, 1913 1,272,311 Plaisted July 9, 1918 1,971,673 Karlson Feb. 10, 1931 2,474,059 Morton June 21, 1949 

